Disposable hookah bowl

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a disposable hookah bowl and hookah bowl product that are moisture-sealed. The hookah bowl includes a tobacco compartment, an ignitable product shelf, a heat inlet seal, and a particulate outlet seal. The hookah bowl product includes the hookah bowl and a combustible product, such as massell.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of smoking implements andmore specifically to the field of hookah components.

BACKGROUND

Of the many proud traditions of Ottoman culture, few have achieved theworld-wide frame of hookah smoking. Once confined to the Middle East andNear East regions, the hookah's notoriety was invigorated by Napolean'sinvasion of Egypt and the stream of curious Westerners which followedthereafter. Painters, such as Eugene Delacroix and Jean-Leon Gerome,when depicting Oriental styles typically included a hookah as a symbolof the depicted culture. The hookah was elevated from a regionalcuriosity to a universal symbol of sophistication.

The hookah, which has maintained a constant popularity in the MiddleEast, presently enjoys in American culture a unique, niched function.Hookah smoking combines community and relaxation into a single event.Rarely does one witness a group smokers crowded about a singlecigarette, cigar, or pipe. Though hookahs are often designed with asingle smoke outlet; the presence of multiple hoses, each capable ofsimultaneous use, emanating from a single smoking instrument is uniqueto the hookah. Multiple hose hookahs form the centerpieces of hookahclubs in which hookah smokers gather to unwind and converse with othercommunity members. A hookah combines fashion, art, and function into asingle device.

A basic hookah includes a base, a pipe, at least one hose with amouthpiece, and a bowl. The hookah bowl holds the hookah tobacco,frequently “massell.” Massell is a mixture of tobacco, molasses, andoften a flavor or fruit extract. The molasses and fruit extract add asubstantial amount of moisture to the massell that is missing inconventional tobacco. This added moisture makes massell more sensitiveto the elements relative to conventional tobacco; prolonged exposure toair evaporates much of the moisture of massell and reduces its flavor.When properly protected, massell allows a smoker a more recreational,flavored smoke than the tobacco of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and thelike. An experienced hookah smoker will know to loosely distributemassell into a pile within the hookah bowl to allow heat to evenlycirculate through the pile.

The heat that ignites the massell derives from coals positioned abovethe hookah bowl. The coals and massell preferably never contact one tothe other. A common method of placing coals proximate to the massellinvolves spreading a foil upon the top of a hookah bowl, punching holesin the foil, and then placing the coals onto the foil. The heat from thelighted coals travels through the holes in the foil to ignite portionsof the massell. Particulates from the massell travel in the smokecreated by the ignition down through the hookah bowl into the hookahpipe.

The hookah pipe is the body of a hookah and is usually fabricated frombrass, tin, or stainless steel. The pipe transports the massell smokefrom the bowl to the hookah base, which is a cavern containing water.The base of the hookah is typically fabricated of glass or plastic andtend to be the most expressive portion of the hookah, ranging fromtranslucent to wildly-colored. Within the cavern of the hookah base, themassell smoke is cooled by the water within. The cooled massell smokethen returns to the back to the pipe, though not through the sameentrance by which the massell smoke enters the base. From the pipe, themassell smoke travels through the hose and out of the mouthpiece.

There are presently two prominent versions of hookah structures: theLebanese style and the Egyptian style. Although the afficianado willexplain that there are many differences between the two styles, thepractical layman would quickly note the obvious difference: theconnection point between the pipe and the hookah bowl. The Egyptianstyle hookah pipe tapers upward into a what is generally referred to asa male connection. The Egyptian style hookah bowl includes a femaleconnection which receives the pipe's male connection. In the Lebanesestyle hookah the bowl has the tapered male connection and the pipe hasthe female connection to accept the Lebanese style hookah bowl. In bothstyles, to allow a more airtight connection a collar is generally addedto fit around the male connection.

As hookah use increases in prominence, the need to make hookah smokingmore amenable to a larger market increases in importance. Hookahpreparation, measured in either time or work, is simply not comparableto cigar, cigarette, or pipe preparation. Presently a hookah must oftenbe completely assembled from its base components, any tobacco productplaced within a hookah must be manually placed within the bowl, watermust be placed within the hookah, and the hookah must be checked for airleaks before a user begins to smoke from the hookah. Therefore there isa need for innovation that minimizes hookah preparation time and work.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a disposable hookah bowl and hookahbowl product. The hookah bowl includes a tobacco compartment, anignitable product shelf, a heat inlet seal, and a particulate outletseal.

The tobacco compartment includes a heat inlet, a particulate outlet, andthe ignitable product shelf. The ignitable product shelf is a supportwithin the tobacco compartment upon which a tobacco product rests. Theheat inlet allows the downward passage of heat into the tobaccocompartment to ignite any product upon the ignitable product shelf. Theignitable product shelf includes a particulate passage for allowingsmoke generated from tobacco ignition to travel down into theparticulate outlet. The particulate outlet is the portion of the tobaccocompartment that allows the passage of particulates from the hookah bowlinto a hookah pipe or similar object.

In order to retain moisture within the tobacco compartment, the heatinlet and particulate outlet are sealed with a heat inlet seal and aparticulate outlet seal, respectively. The preferred heat inlet seal isan adhesive patch which can positioned to shield the heat inlet from anexterior environment and prevent substantial diminishment of theinherent moisture within hookah tobacco. The preferred particulateoutlet seal is an adhesive patch oriented to shield the tobaccocompartment by blocking the particulate outlet.

The hookah bowl product includes the hookah bowl with hookah tobaccodisposed within the tobacco compartment.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to introduce ahookah bowl requiring minimal preparation time.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to introduce a hookahbowl that retains moisture.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to introduce ahookah bowl capable of disposable use

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to introduce ahookah bowl product that includes hookah-amenable tobacco that possessesa relatively long shelf life.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive.Additionally, some aspects may apply to particular versions orembodiments, but not other versions or embodiments. Other features,aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunctionwith the following description, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hookah bowl,showing the interior thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hookah bowlillustrating the removal of a heat inlet seal.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of the hookahbowl.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hookah bowl,showing the interior thereof.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the hookah bowl highlightingthe use of a plug seal.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway perspective view of the hookah bowl product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the disposable hookah bowlis shown. The hookah bowl includes a tobacco compartment 112, anignitable product shelf 114, a heat inlet seal 116, and a particulateoutlet seal 118.

The tobacco compartment 112 is the container of the hookah bowl andincludes a heat inlet 120, a particulate outlet 122 (in the Egyptianstyle), and the ignitable product shelf 114. The tobacco compartment ismanufactured of a self-supporting, durable material that is resistant toboth moisture and heat. Materials commonly used to manufacture hookahbowl tobacco compartments may be used in the present invention; suchmaterials include clay, metal, pyrex, plastic, ceramic, and acrylic. Ina preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tobacco compartmentis manufactured of a substantially translucent material, e.g. pyrex.

The ignitable product shelf 114 is tray in the interior of the tobaccocompartment 112 that is dimensioned to support an ignitable product.Preferred ignitable products contemplated for use in the presentinvention include tobacco combined with moisture-bearing additives, e.g.massell. However, simply because the present invention was designed withthe massell containment in mind does not limit the hookah bowl tomassell. The tobacco compartment is not limited to any particular typeof tobacco, tobacco derivative, or smokable product; rather, anysmokable product capable of use within the tobacco compartment willsuffice.

The ignitable product shelf 114 includes a particulate passage 124. Theparticulate passage may include one or more holes within the ignitableproduct shelf 114. The purpose of the particulate passage is to allowfluid communication from the heat inlet 120 and the particulate outlet122. The heat inlet 120 is the portion of the tobacco compartment 112that allows a downward passage of heat into the tobacco compartment 112,which ignites any product upon the ignitable product shelf 114. Theparticulate outlet 122 includes one or more holes in the bottom thetobacco compartment that allows the passage of particulates from thehookah bowl into a hookah pipe or similar object.

The heat inlet seal 116 and the particulate outlet seal 118 areobstructions that block moisture egress. The seals substantially retardthe flow of gases between the interior gases of the tobacco containerand the exterior gases of whatever environment the hookah bowl 110 findsitself. In preventing this environmental equilibrium, the seal should becomposed of a material substantially impervious to moisture passage, ifnot gaseous passage. These qualities need to be present for a reasonableshelf-life time. There are many devices and structures having variedcompositions that will fulfill the purpose of the seal of the presentinvention. Because sealing devices are too numerous to discuss withinthis disclosure, this description will focus on preferred sealingdevices.

FIG. 1 shows the preferred seal for both the heat inlet seal 116 and theparticulate outlet seal 118, an adhesive patch covering both the heatinlet 120 and particulate outlet 122 respectively. The adhesive patchcan be at the least, a simple sticker made of a moisture containmentmaterial. When an adhesive patch is used, it is preferred that there bestructure to assist a user in removing the adhesive patch. Patch tabs126 that abut the perimeter of the seal serve such a purpose admirably.The patch tab 126 is a seal protrusion that does not include an adhesivematerial. As FIG. 2 illustrates, the lack of adhesive allows a user toeasily manipulate the patch tab 126, which allows the user to moreeasily dislocate the adhesive patch 116. The preferred adhesive patch ismade of a weatherproof vinyl.

FIG. 2 further illustrates an embodiment of the hookah bowl 110 thatincludes a combustion platform 128. The combustion platform 128 is aplatform having a combustion passage 132 of one or more holes that leadinto the heat inlet. The combustion platform 132 allows a user to placea combustible material thereon rather than labor through conventionalmethods for generating heat in the hookah bowl, e.g. using perforatedfoil to support coals. The preferred combustion platform is manufacturedof a self-supporting, durable material that is resistant to bothmoisture and heat. The shape and configuration of the combustionplatform 128 can be any that allows the combustion platform to fulfillits purpose: support coal and separate the coal from any tobacco productupon the ignitable product tray. The preferred material of thecombustion tray is a hard plastic. In embodiments with a combustionplatform 128 and an adhesive patch 116, the adhesive patch 116 ispreferably positioned on the portion of the combustion platformproximate to the outside environment.

Although the combustion cap 128 can be form-fitted onto the tobaccocompartment 112, as FIG. 3 shows, the present invention can additionallyincludes threading 134 on the combustion cap 128 (threading not shown)and the tobacco container 112. In the embodiment pictured, the threading134 is on the exterior of the tobacco compartment 112 and the interiorof the combustion cap 128; however, embodiments having combustion caps128 with exterior threading and tobacco compartments 112 with interiorthreading may be preferred.

The hookah bowl embodiment 110 of FIG. 3 further includes an elasticimpediment 136 that frictionally engages the particulate outlet 122. Asthis hookah bowl embodiment 110 illustrates, sealing devices need not bealways included on exterior portions of the hookah bowl 110. The elasticimpediment 136 is a device used to seal the particulate outlet 122against moisture egress. Unlike the adhesive patch, the elasticimpediment uses friction to block moisture; the elastic impediment 136is made of a collapsible material that adjusts to the interior structureof the particulate outlet 122. Upon use, a user need only remove theelastic impediment 136 from the particulate outlet 122.

The hookah bowl embodiment of FIG. 3 further illustrates the outlet cap130 of the present invention. The outlet cap 130 at least partiallycovers the particulate outlet 122 and allows a hookah bowl 110 to standfreely on a surface. Although versions of the outlet cap 130 includeoutlet cap holes 138 to allow the passage of smoke, other versions ofthe outlet cap may not have holes and thereby serve as a seal. Althoughan outlet cap 130 can be size-fitted onto the tobacco compartment 112,an additionally joining means includes threading 134 on both the outletcap 130 and the tobacco compartment 112.

FIG. 4 illustrates a Lebanese style hookah bowl embodiment 110 thatincludes a combustion cap 128 having a containment ridge 140 about itsperimeter. A purpose of the combustion cap is to allow a user to placecharcoal thereon; the containment ridge 140 is a protrusion thatprevents the large portions of combustion material from falling from thecombustion cap 128. An additional benefit of the containment ridge isthat it shields combustion material from the wind drafts at anglessubstantially parallel to the upper surface of the combustion cap 128.

Of further note in FIG. 4 is the cap seal 142, which shares structuralsimilarities to the outlet cap 130 of FIG. 3. The cap seal 142 of FIG. 4differs from the outlet cap of FIG. 3 in that the cap seal 142 of FIG. 4does not include any holes through which air and moisture may escape thetobacco compartment 112. The cap seal 142 screws onto to tobaccocompartment 134. Although the cap seal 142 of FIG. 4 is shown engagingthe particulate outlet 122 of the hookah bowl, the cap seal 142 couldalso be dimensioned to engage the tobacco compartment 112 in a mannerthat obstructs the heat inlet 120.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a Lebanese style hookah bowl embodiment thatfeatures a plug seal 144. The plug seal 144 frictionally engages theinterior of the particulate outlet so that moisture and air cannotescape the tobacco compartment 112. The plug seal 144 includes a sealhandle 146 that allows a user to easily remove the plug seal with theuser's fingers. FIG. 5A depicts the plug seal 144 when frictionallyengaging the interior of the particulate outlet 122; FIG. 5B depicts thestructural arrangement of a preferred plug seal that has been removedfrom the interior of a hookah bowl 110. The hookah bowl further includesa threaded particulate outlet, which would allow the hookah bowl 110 tomate with a hookah pipe (not shown) having threading.

FIG. 6 illustrates a hookah bowl product 210. The hookah bowl product210 includes the hookah bowl 110 having a combustible product 900disposed therein. Though the present invention is configured to workbest with massell, any combustible product capable of use with thepresent invention is sufficient.

Although the disposable hookah bowl has been described in considerabledetail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, otherversions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should notbe limited to the description of the preferred versions containedherein.

1. A disposable hookah bowl comprising: a tobacco compartment with aheat inlet for accepting a downward passage of heat into said tobaccocompartment, and a particulate outlet; an ignitable product shelf,disposed within said tobacco compartment having a particulate passage,for retaining a smokable product; a heat inlet seal, obstructivelyengaging said heat inlet, for retaining moisture within said tobaccocompartment; and a particulate outlet seal, obstructively engaging saidparticulate outlet, for retaining moisture within said tobaccocompartment.
 2. The disposable hookah bowl of claim 1 wherein said heatinlet seal is dimensioned to frictionally engage said heat inlet.
 3. Thedisposable hookah bowl of claim 1 wherein said heat inlet seal includesan adhesive for removably affixing said heat inlet seal to said tobaccocompartment.
 4. The disposable hookah bowl of claim 3 further comprisinga combustion platform, in thermal communication with said heat inlet,with a combustion passage and a combustion platform perimeter.
 5. Thedisposable hookah bowl of claim 4 wherein both said combustion platformand said tobacco compartment include threading, whereby said threadingof said combustion platform and said threading of said tobaccocompartment are dimensioned to mate.
 6. The disposable hookah bowl ofclaim 4 further comprising a containment ridge about said combustionplatform perimeter.
 7. The disposable hookah bowl of claim 5 furthercomprising an outlet cap configured to at least partially obstruct saidparticulate outlet.
 8. The disposable hookah bowl of claim 1 whereinsaid particulate outlet seal includes an adhesive.
 9. The disposablehookah bowl of claim 1 wherein said particulate outlet seal frictionallyengages said particulate outlet.
 10. The disposable hookah bowl of claim9 wherein said particulate outlet lid further comprises a handledimensioned to facilitate particulate outlet lid removal.
 11. Thedisposable hookah bowl of claim 9 wherein said particulate outlet sealis an elastic impediment.
 12. The disposable hookah bowl of claim 1wherein said tobacco compartment is fabricated of a substantiallytranslucent material.
 13. The disposable hookah bowl of claim 1 furthercomprising an array of a combustible product, loosely disposed betweensaid heat inlet seal and said ignitable product shelf.
 14. A disposablehookah bowl comprising: a tobacco compartment having both a heat inletand a tapered particulate outlet; an ignition shelf disposed within saidtobacco compartment having an ignition passage; a heat inlet seal,obstructively engaging said heat inlet, for retaining moisture withinsaid tobacco compartment; and an outlet impediment, obstructivelyengaging said particulate outlet, for retaining moisture within saidtobacco compartment.
 15. The disposable hookah bowl of claim 14 whereinsaid tapered particulate outlet includes threading.
 16. The disposablehookah bowl of claim 15 further comprising a threaded outlet cap atleast partially obstructing said threaded particulate outlet.
 17. Thedisposable hookah bowl of claim 14 further comprising a combustionplatform, disposed between said heat inlet seal and said ignitableproduct shelf, with a combustion passage.
 18. The disposable hookah bowlof claim 17 further comprising a threaded outlet cap configured to atleast partially obstruct said tapered particulate outlet.
 19. Thedisposable hookah bowl of claim 18 further wherein said heat inlet sealincludes an adhesive for removably affixing said heat inlet seal to saidcombustion platform.
 20. A disposable hookah bowl product comprising: atobacco compartment with a heat inlet for accepting a downward passageof heat into said tobacco compartment, and a particulate outlet; anignitable product shelf disposed within said tobacco compartment havinga particulate passage; a heat inlet seal, obstructively engaging saidheat inlet, for retaining moisture within said tobacco compartment; aparticulate outlet seal, obstructively engaging said particulate outlet,for retaining moisture within said tobacco compartment; and an array ofa smokable product, loosely disposed within said tobacco compartmentbetween said heat inlet seal and said ignition shelf.